Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-118
Power to act in emergencies
Operative Text
Whenever the director finds that a violation of this Code exists which, in his opinion, requires immediate action to abate a hazard, or constitutes an immediate danger to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants of a building or the public, he may, without prior notice of hearing, issue an order citing the violation and directing that such action be taken as is necessary to remove or abate the hazard of danger. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code, such an order shall be effective immediately upon service and shall be complied with immediately or as otherwise provided.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 8 § 27-118 grants the city's housing director authority to issue emergency orders without advance notice or a hearing when a building condition poses an immediate hazard to occupants or the public. Such an order takes effect the moment it is served and requires immediate compliance, bypassing the normal procedural steps that otherwise apply under the housing code. The provision is designed to allow swift government action when waiting for standard notice-and-hearing procedures could allow a dangerous condition to persist.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 8 § 27-118, property owners and managers should understand that the director can bypass the usual notice-and-hearing process and issue an order that is enforceable on the spot when an emergency hazard is identified. Operators who maintain properties in compliance with the housing code and address hazardous conditions proactively are less likely to encounter this emergency authority. When such an order is served, the compliance timeline is immediate unless the order itself specifies otherwise, so having a reliable network of contractors and maintenance personnel is a common practice among compliant operators.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 8 § 27-118 exists to protect occupants by allowing the city to act quickly when a building condition poses an immediate danger to health, safety, or welfare. Tenants who believe their building has an urgent hazardous condition may consider contacting the city's housing or code enforcement office to request an inspection, which could trigger this emergency authority. Tenant-rights organizations in Syracuse can help residents understand what options are generally available when a landlord fails to address dangerous conditions promptly.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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